Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-01-10
GEN. SCOTS ESCAPE.

In 1861 Gen. Scott was a fellOw-vovager
with Thurlow Weed on his memorable
mission to Europe. Mr. Weed, in his
forthcoming autobiography, says:
One evening after our rubber. said to
the General There is one question |
have often wished to ask you but have been
restrained by the fear that it might be i'm
proper. The general drew himself up
and said in his emphatic manner: "Sir.
YOU are incapable of asking an improper
question" You are very kind; but If
my inquiry is indiscrete am sure you
will allow it to pass unanswered II
hear you SIR" he replied. "Well. then,
General, did anything remarkable happen
to Won on the morning OF the battle OF
Chippewa" after brief but impressive
silence. he said Eyes, sir; something
did happen to me-something very re-
markable. | will now. for the third time
in my life, repeat the story.
THE fourth day of July, 1914, was one
of extreme heat. On that day my brigade
/ skirmished with British force command
ed by Gen. Rail, from an early hour in
the morning till late in the afternoon,
| We had driven the enemy down the river
twelve miles TO Streets Creek, near
Chippewa, where we encamped tor the
night. our army occupying the west, while
that of the enemy was encamped on the
east side of the creek. After our tents
! had been pitched | observed flag borne
by man in peasants dress approaching
my marque. He brought letter from a
/ lady, who occupied large mansion on
the opposite side of the creek, informing
me that she was the wife of member of
Parliament who was then at Quebec that
her children, servants. and Young lady
friend were alone; that General Rail had
placed a sentinel before her door; and
that she ventured, with great doubts of
the propriety of the request, to ask that |
would place sentinel upon the bridge to
protect her from stragglers from our camp.
| assured the messenger that the lady's
request should be complied with. Early
the next morning the same messenger
bearing white flag, reappeared with a
note from the same lady, thanking me
for the protection she had enjoyed,
adding that. in acknowledgement of my
civlities, she begged that | would. with
such members of my staff as chose to
bring with me. accept the Inequalities of
her house ct breakfast which had been
prepared with considerable attention. and
was quite ready. Acting upon an impulse
which never have been able to analvze
or comprehend. called two of nv aids
Lieutenants Worth and Watts. aud re-
turned to the mansion already indicated
We met our hostess at the door. who
ushered us into the dining room, where
breakfast awaited us, and where the
young lady previously referred to was
already seated by the coffee urn. Our
hostess asked to be excused for few
minutes. and the young lady Immediately
served our coffee. Before we had broken
our fast, Lieutenant Watts arose from the
table to get his bandanna (that being be-
fore the days OF napkins), which he had
left IN his cap on a side table by the
window. CHANGING through which he saw
Indians approaching the house on one
side. and red coats approaching it on the
other with an evident purpose of sur
rounding it and us-and instantly ex-
claimed: General. we are BETRAYED,
Springing from the table and clear
ing the house. saw our danger, and re-
Numbering Lord Chesterfield had said.
Whatever is worth doing at all is worth
doing well," and as we had to run. and nv
legs were longer than nv companions, I
soon outstripped them. As We made our
escape we were fired at, but got across the
bridge in safety.
I felt 20 much shame and modification